4:10am Friday 12th March 2010
By Richard Vernalls
A REGISTERED sex offender has been given a community order for threatening police.
Richard Fitzer repeatedly struggled with officers, butted the inside of a police car and then wept on the pavement when he cut his head.
Fitzer, of Canterbury Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, had already admitted the public order offence and returned to Worcester Magistrates Court this week for sentencing.
Officers were called to a New Year’s Eve party at Fitzer’s home on an unrelated matter.
Trouble started when the 21-year-old refused to come quietly, struggling with the officers to the police car.
“He was put in the rear seat but started head-butting the window,” said Matt Dodson prosecuting.
Officers opened the car door twice, with the drunk and irate Fitzer shouting and swearing at them. At one point he said: “Assault? I’ll break your jaw when I’m out of these cuffs.”
The verbal abuse continued before Fitzer was taken out of the car and restrained on the pavement, where he cut his head in the struggle.
“He stopped struggling and began to cry,” said Mr Dodson.
Fitzer also pleaded guilty to breaching a conditional discharge soon after his release from prison – where he served time for a serious sexual offence committed in May 2005 – for failing to tell police of a change of address.
As a registered sex offender for life, he must inform police if his circumstances change.
He also admitted being late for an earlier magistrates hearing in January. His solicitor told the court that was a result of the wintry weather.
Mark Lister, defending, asked that any curfew take into account Fitzer’s need to work to support his partner, two children and a new baby that was on the way.
“Agency work may need early and late shifts,” he told magistrates.
Fitzer was given a 12-month supervision order and must wear a tag for three months for the public order offence and breach.
He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £100 costs and £15 victim surcharge for the bail offence.
Deputy district judge Nigel Hodkinson told Fitzer: “Take responsibility for your life or the courts will.”
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